Effects of Fish Oils on Inflammation and Insulin Resistance

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The purpose of this study is to determine whether improvement in fat and muscle metabolism after the treatment with Omacor (fish oils) provides insight into the link between obesity, fat and muscle function leading to metabolic syndrome, which is a risk factor for heart disease and diabetes.

Condition or disease

Intervention/treatment

Metabolic SyndromeInsulin Resistance

Drug: omega-3 fatty acidDrug: placebo

Detailed Description:

The development of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) represents a complex series of events, involving abnormalities in adipose tissue lipid distribution and insulin action. Along with an increase in adipose tissue mass is an increase in inflammation brought about by macrophages that infiltrate adipose tissue. These macrophages express inflammatory cytokines such as TNF- and IL-6, which are correlated with insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome, and suggest that metabolic syndrome and diabetes are conditions characterized by a state of chronic, low-grade inflammation. Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) improve insulin sensitivity via activation of PPAR- , and there is much evidence that PPAR agonists also have anti-inflammatory properties.

Fish oils are rich sources of Omega-3 fatty acids and there is a large literature on the potential benefits of fish oils on lowering serum triglycerides, cardiovascular protection, and immune modulation, and there is evidence that fish oils also activate PPAR . Hence, the focus of this study will be on subjects with insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome, but who do not yet have diabetes. We plan to treat insulin resistant subjects with fish oils and ask the following questions.

Aim 1. From blood samples drawn before and after treatment, we will measure levels of circulating inflammatory cytokines.

Aim 2. Adipose tissue biopsies will be performed before and after fish oil treatment. From the adipose biopsies, we will quantitate cytokine expression, macrophage number, and we will look for evidence of macrophage apoptosis.

Aim 3. We will determine whether fish oil treatment increases the adipose tissue secretion and serum level of the high molecular weight form of adiponectin.

Hypothesis 2. The reduction in inflammatory markers occurs through an activation of PPAR by the fish oils.

Aim 4. Adipose tissue and macrophages will be treated in vitro with fish oils in the presence and absence of a PPAR inhibitor. We will determine whether fish oils stimulate the secretion of the high molecular weight adiponectin isoform from adipose tissue and whether they induce apoptosis from macrophages, and whether this process is inhibited by the PPAR inhibitor.

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